THE INDIAN OF THE NORTHWEST 17
Elias Range. Chirikof needed water, and he desired to ex- plore for a harbor. He sent a boat manned by Demetrief and nine others, fully armed even to a small brass cannon, and a complete set of signals for every emergency. First came the signal that the boat had landed safely; next followed signal after signal for three days that all was going well. Then all signals ceased; day followed day and the boat did not return. Chirikof, thinking that the boat might have suffered damage in some landing, sent his sole remaining boat under Savelief and five men, with instructions that at least one boat should return immediately after the missing boat had been succored. The second was seen to land and the men were observed to start off; but the gloom of night came on and there was no preparation for return. In the morning two canoes, one large and one small, were seen to put from shore, and the cry was raised that the two boats were returning. Then Chirikof, anxious to be gone from the place of so much suspense, gave orders for all to be in readiness to sail. In the confusion of preparation no one seems to have noticed until the canoes were nearly alongside that they were filled with natives. Then the Russian sailors came thronging on deck until the natives, circling about the ship as was their custom in receiving strang- ers, were frightened by the numbers ; and with cries of "Akai ! Akai!" the Sitkas sped for shore. Then Chirikof, heartsick, cursed his ill stars that his men had frightened them off, for he felt that his missing men were likely prisoners and could be ransomed. He had no boats left with which to make a landing ; a storm came up, and he was compelled to run for the open sea. But the veteran loved his men, his followers for many years ; and when the storm was over he came back and coasted for some days, firing signals ; but no signs of either Indians or his lost men could he find. The council of officers voted to return to Avatcha, in Siberia.
Our American Captain Gray had more than his share of con- flicts with the natives, but the supposed fight at Gray's Harbor 70
70 Ore. Pioneer Association, Transactions, 1892, p. 80.
